The Jacksonville State University College of Nursing and Health Sciences
(CNHS) has closed the Nursing Center Clinic in Wallace Hall after more than 25 years due to a federal ruling that restricts
distribution of Title X Family Planning medications and supplies.

Health departments are operating as usual, but satellite clinics throughout the nation have been affected.

According to JSU's Dr. Sarah V. Latham, dean of nursing, a recent ruling
by the United States Department of Health and Human Services "disqualified" satellite clinics
that are not official branches of state health departments from receiving
federally funded family planning supplies and medications.

The CNHS Nursing Center Clinic functioned as a satellite of the Calhoun County Health Department
even though it was staffed by JSU employees and housed in the university. This collaborative
arrangement allowed the Nursing Center Clinic to provide low or no cost health care services
because family planning and immunization supplies were provided by the health department.

"Federal support, through Title X funding, provided the framework for the
operation," said Dr. Latham. "We've looked at every option for keeping the
clinic open. Unfortunately, just providing family planning, without federal
support, would cost JSU over $100 per patient. We don't have the infrastructure
for third party billing.

"It is with regret and sadness that we announce the closing of our
clinic. I am pleased, however, that the Calhoun County Health Department will
continue to offer WIC services in the nursing building every Thursday."

WIC is the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children. JSU
will continue to provide space, phone, and Internet service to the health department's
WIC program. Clients can contact the WIC office in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences
on Thursdays at 782-5432.

Patients can continue to receive health care services, including family planning, immunizations
and WIC service through the Calhoun County Public Health Department, 3400 McClellan Blvd., 237-7523.
JSU students are eligible for a full array of health services through the JSU Student Health
Center, Williams Building, 782-5310.

To obtain a copy of medical records or to transfer medical records to a health care provider,
patients' written permission is required. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences will have
extended hours (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on July 24, July 26, August 1, and 3.

Parents must obtain "Blue slips" -- the forms that verify immunizations and that are required by
school officials as a condition of enrollment -- from the Calhoun County Health Department.